Techniques for bypassing call screening in a call messaging system

ABSTRACT

A call messaging system includes a database comprising a call screening rule for a callee and a call screening engine configured to determine whether a bypass condition exists for an incoming call to the callee, and to bypass the call screening rule for the incoming call, if the bypass condition exists.

BENEFIT CLAIM

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as aContinuation of application Ser. No. 14/158,959 filed Jan. 20, 2014;which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 13/615,335, filed Sep. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,681,968; which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as aContinuation of application Ser. No. 12/237,213, filed Sep. 24, 2008,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,275,110, issued Sep. 25, 2012; which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Appln. Ser. No.60/995,965, filed Sep 28, 2007, the entire contents of each of which ishereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. TheApplicant hereby rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope in the parentapplications or the prosecution histories thereof and advise the USPTOthat the claims in this application may be broader than any claim in theparent applications.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices andsystems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and userinterfaces, and more particularly, to filtering, screening anddispatching calls in relation to a communication network for packetizedand/or synchronous communications, including in situ filtering,screening and dispatching of active calls.

BACKGROUND

Traditional phone handling techniques to handle an incoming call arelimited in capability. Presently, a callee typically screens a callthrough receipt of the caller's identification. A callee then has littleflexibility when handling the call, especially when the callee isalready connected to another caller. To illustrate, consider that acallee is connected to a first caller when a second caller ringsthrough. Traditionally, the callee interrupts the connected call withthe first caller (e.g., using “call waiting” technology) to communicatewith the second caller. Or, the callee can allow the caller to pass tovoice mail, which is accessed by the callee after the second callerrecords a message.

While traditional techniques for call screening electronic messages andcalls are functional, there are certain drawbacks to these techniques.Call waiting technology is disruptive to communication. Further, typicalvoicemail screening techniques add a time delay to determine the subjectmatter of voice message, as a callee usually accesses the content of thevoicemail after the caller has completed recording a message (i.e.,one-way communication). The callee then dials or otherwise rings thecaller to complete communication between the two parties. In some cases,conventional approaches usually provide relatively rigid rules thanenable a callee to enact predetermined call handling options.

It would be desirable to provide computing devices and systems, as wellas software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces thatminimize one or more of the drawbacks associated with the conventionaltechniques for screening calls via packetized and/or synchronouscommunication networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its various embodiments are more fully appreciated inconnection with the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a call messaging system, according to at leastone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a variety of endpoints that can interact with acall messaging system, according to at least one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a call messaging system that is configured tofilter and screen calls, according to at least one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting an example of a method of processingactive calls, according to at least one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an interface that can beimplemented to configure call greeting and routing rules, according toat least one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of an interface configured tofacilitate active call processing at an endpoint, according to at leastone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of an endpoint configured toprocess calls and notifications via an interface, according to at leastone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an alternative example of a communicationdevice configured to process calls and notifications, according to atleast one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an interface configured tosend a message in situ between endpoints, according to at least oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an interface configured toscreen a call into voicemail, according to at least one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of an application for active callfiltering, screening and dispatching, according to various embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative example of an application forimplementing active call filtering, screening and dispatching, accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary computing system or device suitable toimplement active call filtering, screening and dispatching, according toat least one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an interface for active callfiltering, screening and dispatching, according to various embodiment ofthe invention.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings. Note that most of the reference numeralsinclude one or two left-most digits that generally identify the figurethat first introduces that reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram 100 of a call messaging system, according to atleast one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a call messaging system106 is configured to analyze at least inbound calls, such as inboundcall 110, that originate at a caller device 102 and traverse via eitherswitched network 140 to a callee device 108, or packet network 142 to acallee device 109. Call messaging system 106 includes a call identifier(“Call IDer”) 116, a call rule configuration manager 113, a filteringengine 115, and a screening engine 114. Call identifier 116 can beconfigured to determine a number of call attributes of inbound call 110,including the identity of caller device 102. Filtering engine 115 can beconfigured to filter calls in association with repository 122, whereasscreening engine 114 can be configured to screen calls in accordancewith repository 124. In various embodiments, call messaging system 106can provide called parties several actions, including inbound callnotification, screening, filtering and dispatching alternative. A user(e.g., a subscriber associated with call messaging system 106) can useone or more interfaces to configure inbound call treatment rules, theinterfaces including hosted web pages, computer client software, atelephone user interface, and the like. With one or more of these systeminterface technologies, an end user can configure rules for callpresentation, call routing, call screening, call filtering, callgreeting, call answering, and the like. With configurable callforwarding, call denial, do not answer, time of day and other calltreatment policies, VoIP customers can forward calls directed initiallyto their IP phones and computing device-based softphones to alternativedevices including voicemail, cell phones and home or other publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) endpoints. Caller device 102, calleedevice 108, and callee device 109 can be any of the followingcommunication endpoint types: an analog (PSTN) telephone, an IP (VoIP)phone, an email address, a pager, a symmetric messaging servicedestination address, or some other alert mechanism (e.g., a pager).

In one embodiment, call rule configuration manager 113 is configured tomanage the modification of presentation rules in repository 120,filtering rules in repository 122, screening rules in repository 124,and call dispatching rules in repository 126. Either systemadministrator at computing device 150 or any of caller device 102,callee device 108, and callee device 109, if authorized, can interfacewith call rule configuration manager 113 to modify the rules. Repository120 can include presenting rules, such as “do not disturb” rules,“forward calls to a provisioned telephone number” rules, “forward callsto an entered telephone number” rules, “bypass forwarding call plans forthe next call” rules, “bypass forwarding call plans for some timeduration” rules, “bypass all forwarding call plans” rules, “activatecall routing plans from menu selections” rules, and the like. As anexample, a caller that is leaving a user a voice message can bepresented with call routing plans customized according to their callerID or to a personal identification number (PIN). The caller can select asubsequent call routing plan from memory or can have the voice mailsystem play (i.e., present visually or audibly) available call routingplans, whereby the caller selects either none, one or multiple callrouting plans from the presentations. According to at least someembodiments, the term “presentation rule” can refer to a rule or asubset of processes for governing the presentation of call routingoptions or prompts to a user, the options or prompts being useable toinvoke filtering, screening, or dispatching processes.

Call rule configuration manager 113 can be configured to manage themodification of filtering rules in repository 122, according to oneembodiment. According to at least some embodiments, the term “filteringrule” can refer to a rule or a subset of processes for governing thefiltering of a call based on user-defined criteria that can invoke, forexample, predetermined call routing prior to a call being received bycallee devices 108 or 109. In some instances, a filtering rule can beapplied to a call at call messaging system 106. In some embodiments,filtering can include rejecting or forwarding a call based onpredetermined rules. For example, a user may apply a filtering rule toreject or forward all incoming calls (“do not disturb”), or may specifya time of day, day of week, caller ID or the like to selectively rejector forward incoming calls. A user can provision the call routing systemto play specific messages to callers, based upon the caller ID, callerhistory, the time of day, the call frequency, or from any combination ofconditions.

Call rule configuration manager 113 can be configured to manage themodification of screening rules in repository 124, according to oneembodiment. These rules can define default prompts, and a user canreplace or augment these with personal prompts to ask a caller toprovide identification. For example, consider that a caller to atelephone number has a menu played. The first menu item can be a promptasking for the user name or the reason for this call or otherinformation. The caller answers with some reason, and this reason isplayed to the callee. By listening to the reason and viewing thecaller-ID, the callee can decide how to dispatch this call. For example,the following are applicable actions: answer this call, send this callto voice mail, send this call to another agent, and let callee or systemdefault policies route this call. Note that speech recognition canevaluate and parse the caller reason for key words. Speech recognitionof keywords can dispatch this call to user or system defined routingrules or to available agents. According to at least some embodiments,the term “screening rule” can refer to a rule or a subset of processesfor governing the screening of an active call at callee devices 108 or109. In some instances, a screening rule can be applied to control whichprompt or option can be presented and selected at callee devices 108 or109. For example, screening rules can specify whether to present promptsor options to forward an active call, send an active call to voice mailand listen to the voice message as it is being recorded, communicate(e.g., by way of selecting a response, such as “I will call you back”)with the caller initiating the active call without, for example,interrupting a connected call in which the callee is alreadyparticipating, and the like. A screening rule can be described as eithera “default screening rule” or a “customized screening rule.” The term“default screening rule” can refer, at least in some embodiments, topredetermined rules that define how to screen calls prior to a calleedevice receiving a call, whereas the term “customized screening rule”can refer, at least in some embodiments, to rules that dynamically canbe implemented to screen calls as a call is received at a callee device,without interrupting a pending other call.

Call rule configuration manager 113 can be configured to manage themodification of call dispatching rules in repository 126, according toone embodiment. According to at least some embodiments, the term“dispatching rule” can refer to a rule or a subset of processes forgoverning the actions that can be initiated at callee devices 108 or 109to dispatch an active call. In some instances, a dispatching rule can beapplied to control whether to perform any of the actions of forwardingan active call, sending an active call to voice mail (e.g., andlistening to the voice message as it is being recorded), communicatingwith the caller initiating the active call, and the like. In particular,repository 126 can include rules relating to how to add prompts, speechrecognition, and call dispatching rules to a user menu answer tree. Theentire menu answer tree or parts of those rules can be reviewed, edited,saved from hosted web pages (e.g., computing device 150), clientapplications, cell phone browsers and audio playback and edit routines.The menu answer tree and dispatching options can change with the timeand date, with the caller-ID, with callee availability, and withscheduling tools, such as a calendaring system. In some embodiments, adispatching action can be performed at callee device 108. In otherembodiments, a dispatching action can be performed at call messagingsystem 106 or at a combination of elements shown in FIG. 1.

Screening engine 114 can be configured to implement call screening inassociation with either callee 108 or callee device 109, according toone embodiment. For example, when an inbound call rings a calleetelephone, the callee (a potential destination answering endpoint) canlift the handset and hear menu options. For example, the callee mighthear “Caller (name) from telephone (number) is calling. Select 1 toanswer, 2 to send to voice mail, 3 to play a response, 4 to directcontact information to your PC client, 5 to display contact history onyour web browser.” If the callee has information displayed on theircomputing device 109 or via a web browser, then the callee can viewadditional caller information by moving the PC mouse (or other cursor)over the caller name, a contact directory, or over a “More Information”or “Help” icon. The result can show caller information and callerhistory, or call routing options or people available to accept thiscall. According to at least some embodiments, screening engine 114 canbe configured to effect active call screening and dispatching. In someinstances, screening engine 114 can be configured to perform one or moreof the following: present screening prompts at callee devices 108 or109; receive a response or input from the callee via user inputs; and,perform an action to dispatch with the active call. According to atleast some embodiments, the functionalities and/or structures ofscreening engine 114 (or portions thereof) can be implemented in callmessaging system 106, callee device 108, or callee device 109, or acombination thereof. For purposes of describing the various embodimentsof the invention, the term “active call” can refer, at least in somecases, to a call made by a caller over any communications network, suchthat a callee receives a notification (for example, a ringing signal)that the call is pending, but the call is not yet connected at thecallee. Further, the term “active call” also can refer to a call routedresponsive to, for example, user inputs provided to a call messagingsystem in situ to screen and dispatch an incoming call. As used herein,the term “in situ” can refer, at least in some embodiments, toinitiating an action during the pendency of an 5 incoming call while,for example, an original connection with another active call ismaintained interrupted (i.e., a first call to a callee need not beinterrupted by a second call that is yet to be connected). Thus, anincoming call can be screened and dispatched without connecting to theincoming call, and without interrupting the original connection with theother active call. For example, call dispatching actions can be appliedin situ to an active call being recorded as a voice message to listen toa voice message as it is recorded. In other examples, call dispatchingactions can connect the callee to the caller during the voice messagerecording, and to do other similar actions.

In one embodiment, call messaging system 106 can be configured to enablea called party at callee device 108 to override the default systemfiltering, screening and call routing rules. For example, call messagingsystem 106 can implement a policy to block calls without caller ID, or apolicy to block call transfers during a time-of-day, due to systemactivity, or from some other combination of call dispatching policies.In some embodiments, callee device 108 can be configured to generate aprompt that, if selected, can override filtering rules (e.g.,predetermined filtering rules) to dispatch an active call. In otherembodiments, call messaging system 106 can be configured to enable acalled party at callee device 108 to override the user-customized systemfiltering, screening and call routing rules.

Depending upon the policies and system activity, call messaging system106 can deliver to a caller options to leave voice mail or wait for anavailable endpoint. The caller can select the type of waiting, such asto select “1” to have the first available person call back, select “2”to listen to music (and then select between or among subsequent optionsto select their preferred type of music), and select “3” to leave voicemail. Call messaging system 106 can park the caller/inbound call in amedia server (or other servers configured to perform similar functions)and can follow call routing rules, such as a rule to notify one or moreparties about the incoming call and to direct a party to pick up thecall from a parked location that is transparent to the callee. Thus, thecall routing system can notify one or more parties about an incomingcall, thereby enabling the caller to be picked up without the calleeknowing the parking method or parking slot that otherwise requires acaller to identify a specific extension or location at which to connectwith the call.

In one embodiment, a software application implementing a softphone 144can is able to carry out call answering and call dialing. For example,when enabled, the softphone 144 can receive notification of an inboundcall. Notifications can be for one specific user, for a specific set ofusers, or for a large group of users where a user is identified by oneor more telephone numbers. Softphone 144 can be configured to notify oneor more callee's for all, or a defined subset, of incoming calls. Forexample, a softphone 144 may be used to notify a callee about incomingpriority calls where priority is determined by time of day, detectedpresence, temporary duration policies, and other policies. Dependingupon the enabled policy, softphone 144 can display caller-ID,destination number, contact name and information, call routing options,and other significant caller information. Additionally, softphone 144can enable mouse-over actions to display additional caller information,such as a contact directory, caller contact history, call routingoptions, and people available to accept this call. Softphone 144 can beenabled to route incoming and parked calls. Softphone 144 can alsoselect announcements to play back for one or for a group of calls.Softphone 144 can accept written text or text input by typing, byselecting existing text or “scraping” a web site or a document forpreferred text and then converting the text to speech. Selected and“scraped” text may be edited in the softphone 144 before conversion tospeech. Softphone 144 can listen to voice-mail in real-time as it isbeing recorded. Thus, softphone 144 can act as a real-time screeningdevice and allows the user to interrupt a voice mail call (to “bargein”) and disconnect or talk with the caller. The user can stop softphone144 from listening to a recorded voice mail. Using softphone 144, a usercan monitor the status of active calls and can barge into an active callmaking a 3-way conference, or the user can block the current callee fromjoining the conference. In addition, the user can whisper (i.e.,communication to a subset of callees and callers in a multiple partycall, such as a teleconference) to the callee without the caller hearingthe whispered conversation.

Note that network 104 can include packet networks and switched networks,as well as any other suitable communications network. For example,private and/or public internet and switching networks can be used, suchas IP networks (including protocols TCP, UDP, HTTP, etc.) and switchednetworks (including public switched telephone networks (“PSTN”) or thelike, as well as cellular (e.g., a digital cellular network), shortmessage service (“SMS”) and other wireless networks.)

FIG. 2 is a diagram 201 of a variety of endpoints that can interact witha call messaging system, according to at least one embodiment of theinvention. A call messaging system can perform inbound callidentification when any of the following initiates a call: PSTNendpoints 260, enterprise PBX endpoints 270, Fax endpoints (230),cellular endpoints 265, dual mode endpoints 280 and VoIP endpoints 210and 220, and the like. Any of these endpoints can be configured tooperate as caller device 102, callee device 108, or alternate calleedevice 109, examples of which are shown in FIG. 1. In at least someembodiments, dual mode endpoint 280 can be a mobile computing device,such as a mobile communications device (e.g., a hand-held cellularphone), configured to access a cellular network 259 and a wirelessnetwork, such as a network configured to implement IEEE 802.11technology (e.g., 802.11g, 802.11b, or the like).

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a call messaging system that is configured tofilter and screen calls, according to at least one embodiment of theinvention. Filtering and screening can be invoked by call endpoints 210(FIG. 2), 280 (FIG. 2), 290, a web application hosted at web server 330,a software program (“softphone”) 220 (FIG. 2) acting as an active callcontrol agent, a media server 370, and/or a hosted call processingserver 340, such as call router 340. Call messaging system 306 caninclude call router 340, which can be a circuit switch or softswitchconfigured to receive inbound calls from a first caller device 280, thesame or another circuit call router 340 being configured to route theinbound call to a desired destination. For example, call router 340 canbe configured to route an inbound call to media server 370 to playannouncements to first caller device 280, or call router 340 can beconfigured to cause media server 370 to play announcements to anothertelephone, such as via a PSTN gateway 250 to one or more public switchedtelephone network devices 290. Call messaging system 306 can include aDatabase 350 or any other storage mechanism for maintaining rules forfiltering, announcing and routing an inbound call, and subsequentactions to: modify filter and screen rules, implement filtering, andimplement screening. Networks 317 and 345 can be IP networks.

Call messaging system 306 can also include one or more configurationtools including a Web Server 330 to configure the rules for filtering,announcing, routing and completing calls. A computing device 315-as asystem administrator or an authorized user-can configure web server 330to modify call action rules stored, for example, in repositories 120,122, 124, and 126 (FIG. 1). As such, computing device 315 and/or webserver 330 can maintain a Database 350 (or any other storage mechanism)for storing system administrator rules and/or end user defined rules.Examples of some tools that support inbound call processing andnotification include client applications, such as contact management,appointment and calendar systems, any of which can be found in, forexample, an email program.

Database 350 can store call history information for each inbound call,including active call identifiers (e.g., caller IDs) to receive callstatus and send active call commands. For example, database 350 canmaintain data representing a first party calling-ID (ANI), a type ofendpoint associated with the first calling party, such as a PSTN phone280, a second destination endpoint DNIS, a result code (e.g., indicatinga recipient status) if the call was connected or not connected, and theresult of each prior call (e.g., whether the previous call historyincludes no answers at callee device 108 of FIG. 1). Database 350 canalso be configured to retain customer credit information, satisfactioninformation, and other customer profile information associated with eachinbound caller-ID. Database 350 also can store call transfer,conferencing, recording, and customer feedback information.

Call messaging system 306 can include a database 350 that maintainsdefault inbound call routing rules as well as user-defined callscreening, media server prompts, call notification rules, default anduser-defined dispatching rules. The Database 350 can contain inboundcall routing rule duration timers to apply routing rules, for example,during business and non-business hours, and the circuit switch orsoftswitch 340 can apply the rule duration timer to each inbound callrouting rule. The Database 350 can collect call answering endpointinformation and revise call routing rules to include those endpoints infuture call routing rules when an inbound call includes a matchingcaller ID.

End-users 210, 220, and 290 can define and store in the Database 350custom call routing rules to augment or override the default callrouting rules. Typically, end-users use the Web Server 330 interface todefine custom call routing rules. End-users can also use a clientapplication or the PSTN interface 290 to configure and select customcall routing rules.

For each inbound call, the circuit switch or softswitch 340 applies theidentified inbound caller ID (ANI) and the Database 350 storedinformation and policies, which can include caller history, user-definedcall routing policies, timers, and endpoint presence status, to filterand route the inbound call to a media server 370 or to one or multipleendpoints 210, 220, and 290. From the identified inbound caller ID andany stored information associated with the caller, the Database 350 canassign a priority to the inbound call.

Additionally, for each call routing, the circuit switch or softswitch340 can access any of the default endpoint, the saved ANI, and the savedactual first calling endpoint and can apply all user-defined routingrules simultaneously or sequentially to ring any or all of these storedendpoints. Also, if the receiver is busy, then for a high priority call,the switch 340 can facilitate a caller to barge in to connect theinbound call to a receiving endpoint 210, 220, and 290. Similarly, apriority call can be conferenced into ongoing call endpoints.

In various embodiments, call messaging system 306 can provide a webinterface, a softphone, default administrator configurations, anduser-defined preferences to alert potential call receivers, enablingthem to make decisions concerning which calls to answer, to redirect,and to ignore. The Database 350 can maintain system-defined anduser-defined call data including prior call history, the inbound callinformation (including ANI, DNIS, CNAM), caller contact information, andother pertinent caller information. Embodiments of the invention canpresent any or all of this information to one or more potential callreceivers allowing the receiver to choose whether to answer, how todirect the call elsewhere, and whether to ignore the inbound call.

Each user or the system administrator can allow or disallow a caller tobarge in by interrupting an ongoing call to talk to one of the currentcall endpoints. As another option, from the caller parameters andassigned priority, the proposed system can add a call to an existingconference call. During any caller response analysis, the system 306 canpark the inbound call at a media server 370 or other device interface,until the call disposition is decided and accepted by one or more callreceivers. Further, each end-user 210, 220, and 290 can listen as acaller leaves a voice mail message and elect among disconnecting thecall from voice mail, answering the call and disconnecting voice mail,cancelling the call and dropping the call from voice mail, and closinginbound call screening.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram 400 as an example of a method of filteringand/or screening calls, according to at least one embodiment of theinvention. The call messaging system can be configured to receive aninbound call 404 between a caller device 402 and a callee device 432. At406, the call messaging system can determine whether a caller has amatching caller ID. In some embodiments, the call messaging system canuse other attributes associated with the call to specify whether toapply filtering rules in handling the call. If yes, then flow 400filters call at 410. In some embodiments, the call messaging system canapply filtering rules that specify, for example, predetermined actionsbased on the caller ID, caller history, time of day, call frequency, orany other condition. If no, then the flow continues from 406 to 408, atwhich call messaging system determines whether to block the call (e.g.,in response to a filtering rule). If yes, the call is disconnected at412, otherwise flow 400 continues to 418, at which the call is screenedusing default screening rules. If default screening rules areimplemented and default call screening occurs, then flow moves to 420.Otherwise the flow moves back to 412 to direct the caller to voicemailat 412. Back at 410, if call messaging system filters the call, then theflow passes to 412, otherwise the flow continues to 414 to determinewhether to bypass screening, thereby overriding the use of custom rulesat 416. In at least some embodiments, a call messaging system can beconfigured to enable a caller (or the call messaging system itself) tobypass a callee's customized rules for screening call based on a bypasscondition. For example, if an incoming call is associated with arelatively high priority as bypass condition, then a call messagingsystem can, for example, bypass or otherwise disable the use ofcustomized screening rules (and/or default screening rules and filteringrules). For example, if an emergency phone call (i.e., a 911 call)originates from device 432, which later is disconnected or otherwisefails to connect to device 402, then a call messaging system can detecta call generating from device 402 and enable a call originating atdevice 402 to bypass the custom screening so that emergency officialscan quickly connect with a callee at caller device 432 without beingimpeded by the customized screening. As used herein, a “bypasscondition” is an event that causes a rule is to be avoided or bypassedbased on call attributes and any other factor. If there is no bypasscondition, flow 400 continues to 416 at which custom screening (andcustomized screening rules) can be applied. If the screening is bypassedat 414, or if the customized screening continues at 416, then the flowcontinues 420 to notify the called party (e.g., the callee). Next, flow400 continues to 422 at which a determination is made as to whether toscreen the call (e.g., determine whether in situ screening of an activecall is available or activated, whereby “personal screening” isperformed at the called device during the active call). As used herein,the term “personal screening” can refer, at least in some embodiments,to screening and dispatching of calls, for example, without interruptinga connection without another call (i.e., without performing a “callwaiting” action, or any other action that disrupts communication in acall). Further, personal screening can be initiated at a callee devicerather than at a call messaging system, according to some embodiments.Examples of implementing personal screening are shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C.If so, then the flow moves to 424 to determine whether the called partypasses the call through to perform personal call screening. In at leastsome embodiments, a callee device can generate prompts as described inFIGS. 6A to 8, discussed herein below, to implement in situ screening ofactive calls. If not, the flow moves to 426 either to place the call invoicemail or to disconnect. The flow moves to 428 to determine whetherto re-route the call when neither personal screening is to be added at422 nor personal screen is to be used at 424. If so, then flow 400returns to 404 (e.g., a state in which other calls can be filtered,screened, and/or dispatched), but if not, then the flow goes to 430 atwhich the callee at 432 answers the call at 430. Note, too, aprovisioning agent 450 can identify callers at 452 and then configure anauto-attendant menu at 454 to, for example, implement filtering,screening, and/or dispatching, according to various embodiments. In someembodiments, provisioning agent 450 can include instructions executedby, for example, a computing device 150 of FIG. 1, or a computing orcommunication device associated with softphone 144 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 showing an example of an interface that can beimplemented to configure call greeting and routing rules, according toat least one embodiment of the invention. Here, interface 502 includesan input field 510 to create a rule, an input field 511 to select ananswering mode, an input field 512 to screen calls, and an input field514 to forward calls. For instance, input field 510 can specify atime-of-day during which to use, for example, filtering rules. Inputfield 514 can provide for call forwarding in according withpredetermined or default filtering rules.

FIG. 6A is a diagram 600 showing an example of an interface configuredto screen calls in situ at an endpoint, according to at least oneembodiment of the invention. Portion 610 of interface 602 presents asubset of prompts that a user can use during an active call to forward acall, reply via text messaging, or screen into voicemail.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of an endpoint configured toprocess calls and notifications via an interface, according to at leastone embodiment of the invention. As shown here, an endpoint is depictedas a communication device 652, which can be a mobile communicationdevice that includes an interface 602, and a screening engine 614configured to provide for in situ screening of active calls. Screeningengine 614 can include a processor configured to execute instructionsfrom memory 632, the instructions constituting a softphone application634, which can be an application configured to adapt a computing deviceto implement various known telephony specifications and/or standards.Communication device 652 can be configured to receive data representingcall attributes with which communication device 652 can use to determinewhether to screen an incoming active call. In various embodiments,communication device 652 can be any of PSTN endpoints 260, fax endpoints230, cellular endpoints 265, VoIP endpoints 210 and 220, and dual modeendpoints 280, and the like, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

In operation, screening engine 614 can be configured to screen anddispatch an inbound call. While a call is active (i.e. still pending),communication device 652 can present a subset of prompts in associationwith interface 602. The prompts provide a callee with various actionoptions regarding the inbound call based on, for example, screeningrules 124 and call dispatching rules 126 of FIG. 1. After callee selectsfrom the various action options, communication device 652 cancommunicate with a call messaging system to implement the selecteddispatching action or can perform the dispatching action itself. Prompt611 as a user input can be configured to provide in situ callforwarding. Upon detecting selection of prompt 611, processor 631 canexecute instructions of the in situ call forwarding module 636 toprovide for call forwarding of an active call. For example, in situ callforwarding module 636 can provide for overriding of default filteringrules (e.g., predetermine forwarding rules), as well as for specifying adestination number to which a call can be forwarded in real time (i.e.,during the pendency of the active call).

Upon detecting selection of prompt 613, processor 631 can executeinstructions of the in situ communication module 637 to providecommunication with the caller during an active call. For example, insitu communication module 637 can generate a response to the callerwithout the callee device (e.g., communication device 652) connectingwith the caller device. In some instances, the response can be selectedas one of a number of responses to provide the caller with, for example,a predetermined voice response (i.e., “I will call you soon.”). In atleast one instance, the response can be generated during the pendency ofan active call (e.g., the callee can enter text into interface 602 thatcan be transmitted as text or as text-to-speech audio).

Upon detecting selection of prompt 615, processor 631 can executeinstructions of the in situ voicemail screening module 638 to providefor voice message screening of an active call by the callee during therecording of the voice message, and optionally, connecting with thecaller during the recording of the voice message.

FIG. 6C is a diagram 630 showing an alternative example of acommunication device configured to process calls and notifications,according to at least one embodiment of the invention. In oneembodiment, multiple mode phone 680 can be configured to transmit andreceive over multiple channels (two or more) that can include wirelesschannels that convey IP packets and digital cellular phone packets. Insome embodiments, multiple mode phone 680 can be used by callee totransmit call data and response data 272 (e.g. forwarding instructions,text, text-to-speech commands, listen to voicemail while recording) andcontrol data 274 to a call messaging system, such as call messagingsystem 106 through IP network 605 (including protocols TCP, UDP, HTTP,etc.), or through digital cellular network 659 (not shown). Control data274 can include data configured to cause screening engine 614 (FIG. 6B)to screen an active call at a call messaging system, such as callmessaging system 106. Response data 272 can be embedded in IP packets,such as in emails, text messages, instant messaging, and the like,and/or can be embedded in messages that can be transmitted via digitalcellular network 259, such as SMS messages. Voice data 270 can betransmitted via digital cellular network 259 (or IP network 605, whichis not shown). Digital cellular network 659 can be any of the followingdigital cellular technologies, including: Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA), and the like

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 showing an example of an interface configured tosend a message in situ between endpoints, according to at least oneembodiment of the invention. Portion 710 of interface 702 presents asubset of selectable message responses, either text or audio, that acallee can send to a caller in situ during the pendency of an activecall (e.g., without connecting to the caller). In one example, portionof interface 710 allows the called party to insert text into the calleedevice and convert the text in situ to audio playback to the caller, orinsert a pre-recorded message and playback in situ to the caller.Examples of other responses include text input by typing, text input byselecting existing text or “scraping” a web site or a document forpreferred text. Other examples include converting the text to speech, orthe like. Selected text and “scraped” text may be edited beforeconversion to speech.

FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 showing an example of an interface configured toscreen a call into voicemail, according to at least one embodiment ofthe invention. A callee device can generate interface 801 to facilitatelistening to voicemail in real-time as it is being recorded. While thecallee need not be connected to the caller, audio from the caller isperceptible by the callee but audio from the callee is not perceptibleto the caller. While monitoring the voicemail, the callee can interruptthe voicemail and connect with the caller. Portion 810 of interface 801presents the status of screening to a callee while the voicemail isbeing recorded so that the callee can accept the call, ignore the callto continue voice message recording, or bypass current call screening.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of an application for active callfiltering, screening, and dispatching, according to various embodimentsof the invention. In at least one embodiment, active call filtering,screening, and dispatching can be implemented in a panel, such as asingle panel, in one or more portions thereof, or in separate panels.Here, application 902 includes interface (“I/F”) module 904, displaymodule 906, rendering engine 908, repository 910, logic module 912,panel generator 914, and data bus 916. In some examples, the number andtype of elements shown and described may be varied and are not limitedto the descriptions provided. In some examples, the above-describedelements can be implemented as part, component, or module of application902. As an example, application 902 can be implemented to includecommands for active call filtering, screening, and dispatching. Logicmodule 912 can be implemented as software, hardware, circuitry, or acombination thereof to implement control logic for the describedtechniques for panel presentation.

In some examples, logic module 912 can be configured to control panelgenerator 914 to generate interfaces for implementing a call messagingsystem. Rendering engine 908 can be configured to operate as a layoutengine for web pages, for example, to manipulate both content (e.g., asexpressed in or including HTML, XML, image files, etc.) and formattinginformation (e.g., as expressed in or including CSS, XSL, etc.) forrendering the data or information as one or more panels on interface1106 (FIG. 11). Interface module 904 can exchange panel presentationdata, including content data, image data, audio data, as well as otherdata, between application 902 and another application (e.g., a host,client, web services-based, distributed (i.e., enterprise), applicationprogramming interface (“API”), operating system, program, procedure, orothers) that can use data and information generated from panel generator914 to render presented panels (or windows) on a display screen. Inother examples, the above-described techniques and elements can bevaried in design, implementation, and function and are not limited tothe descriptions provided. In one embodiment, logic module 912 caninclude a call rule configuration manager 990 that is configured toinclude structure and/or functionality similar to one or morepreviously-described call rule configuration managers, one of which isexemplified in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, logic module 912 can include ascreening engine 991 that is configured to include structure and/orfunctionality similar to one or more previously-described screeningengines, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative example of an application forimplementing active call filtering, screening and dispatching, accordingto one embodiment of the invention. Here, application 920 includes panelgenerator 922 and logic module 924, the latter capable of havingequivalent functionality as 912 of FIG. 9A. Further, application 920 isshown in data communication with interface (“I/F”) module 926, displaymodule 928, rendering engine 930, and repository 932. Data bus 934 canbe configured to send or receive data among application 920, I/F module926, display module 928, rendering engine 930, and repository 932. Inother examples, more, fewer or different elements can be used andimplemented without limitation to the examples provided above.

In some examples, logic module 924 and panel generator 922 can beimplemented as part of application 920, which can be implementedseparately from other functional components or modules, such asinterface module 926, display module 928, rendering module 930, andrepository 932. Data bus 934 can be implemented to communicate data overa given port between application 920 and interface module 926, displaymodule 928, rendering module 930, and repository 932. In some instances,application 920 can be implemented as a standalone application or as acomponent (i.e., module) of another application. Data or information(including, for example, data for describing one or more attributes of acall, responses communicated in situ during an active call, and thelike) associated with a panel can be stored in repository 932, which canbe implemented using a database, data store, data warehouse, or anyother type of data repository or structure. In other examples, more,fewer, or different modules can be used to implement the describedtechniques for panel presentation and are not limited to those provided.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary computing system or device suitable toimplement active call filtering, screening and dispatching, according toat least one embodiment of the invention. In some examples, computingdevice 1000 can be used to implement computer programs, applications,methods, processes, or other software to perform the above-describedtechniques and to realize the structures described herein. Computingdevice 1000 includes a bus 1002 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, which interconnects subsystems and devices,such as processor 1004, system memory (“memory”) 1006, storage device1008 (e.g., ROM), disk drive 1010 (e.g., magnetic or optical),communication interface(s) 1012 (e.g., modem or Ethernet card, or anyinterface that formats data for communication via particulartechnologies and communication protocols, such as communicating via IPnetworks, digital cellular networks, and the like), display 1014 (e.g.,CRT or LCD), input device 1016 (e.g., keyboard), and pointer cursorcontrol 1018 (e.g., mouse or trackball). In one embodiment, pointercursor control 1018 invokes one or more specialized commands that, atleast in part, manages active call filtering, screening and dispatching.Pointer cursor control 1018 can interact via a pointer cursor with acall messaging system configured to implement active call filtering,screening and dispatching.

According to some examples, computing device 1000 can perform specificoperations in which processor 1004 executes one or more sequences of oneor more instructions stored in system memory 1006. Such instructions canbe read into system memory 1006 from another computer readable medium,such as static storage device 1008 or disk drive 1010. In some examples,hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions for implementation. In the example shown, systemmemory 1006 includes modules of executable instructions for implementingan operation system (“O/S”) 1032, an application 1036, and a screeningmodule 1038, as well as in situ call forwarding (“ICF”) module 1035 insitu communication (“IC”) module 1037, and in situ voicemail screening(“IVR”) module 1039.

The term “computer readable medium” refers, at least in one embodiment,to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor1004 for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but notlimited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks,such as disk drive 1010. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such assystem memory 1006. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 1002.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves,such as those generated during radio wave and infrared datacommunications.

Common forms of computer readable media includes, for example, floppydisk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM,FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave, or anyother medium from which a computer can read.

In some examples, execution of the sequences of instructions can beperformed by a single computer system 1000. According to some examples,two or more computing systems or devices 1000 coupled by communicationlink 1020 (e.g., LAN, PSTN, or wireless network) can perform thesequence of instructions in coordination with one another. Computersystem or device 1000 can transmit and receive messages, data, andinstructions, including program code (i.e., application code) throughcommunication link 1020 and communication interface 1012. Receivedprogram code can be executed by processor 1004 as it is received, and/orstored in disk drive 1010, or other non-volatile storage for laterexecution. In one embodiment, computing system or device 1000 can beimplemented as a hand-held device, such as a mobile phone 1050 or ahandheld personal computer, or combination mobile phone/computer. But inother embodiments computing system or device 1000 can be implemented asa personal computer (i.e., a desk top computer) or any other computingdevice.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an interface for active callfiltering, screening and dispatching, according to various embodiment ofthe invention. Here, computing system 1100 includes network 1102,display environment 1104, interface 1106, which can be presented ondevices such as computer 1108, notebook computer (“notebook” or“laptop”) 1110, smart phone 1112, personal digital assistant (“PDA”)1114, server 1116, and administrator computer 1118. In other examples,the number and type of devices can be varied and are not limited tothose shown and described.

In some examples, one or more panels for active call filtering,screening, and dispatching can be presented on interface 1106, which canbe an interface for an application, or as a web browsing program,Internet content portal, client or desktop application for any purpose.Panels can be used to provide additional or supplemental informationthat can be contextually relevant to another panel presented ininterface 1106. Computer 1108, notebook computer (“notebook” or“laptop”) 1110, smart phone 1112, personal digital assistant (“PDA”)1114, server 1116, and administrator computer 1118 can provide contentdata for rendering content as well as other data, which can beimplemented to generate, for example, prompts in interface 1106. In somecases, an operating system installed on computer 1108 can communicate(i.e., via an API) content data and/or other related data to anotherapplication installed on computer 1108 to render (i.e., interpretingdata and information to draw or display the content in an interface) oneor more panels presented in interface 1106. In some examples, differenttypes of panels can be rendered in interface 1106. In one embodiment,interface 1106 can include any number and/or any type of displayenvironments, such as CRT and LCD displays. Note that theabove-described system and elements can be varied and are not limited tothe descriptions or examples provided.

In at least some of the embodiments of the invention, the structuresand/or functions of any of the above-described interfaces and panels canbe implemented in software, hardware, firmware, circuitry, or acombination thereof. Note that the structures and constituent elementsshown in FIGS. 9A to 11, as well as their functionality, can beaggregated with one or more other structures or elements. Alternatively,the elements and their functionality can be subdivided into constituentsub-elements, if any. As software, the above-described describedtechniques can be implemented using various types of programming orformatting languages, frameworks, syntax, applications, protocols,objects, or techniques, including C, Objective C, C++, C#, F1ex™Fireworks®, Java™, Javascript™, AJAX, COBOL, Fortran, ADA, XML, HTML,DHTML, XHTML, HTTP, XMPP, and others. These can be varied and are notlimited to the examples or descriptions provided.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specificdetails are not required in order to practice the invention. In fact,this description should not be read to limit any feature or aspect ofthe present invention to any embodiment; rather features and aspects ofone embodiment can readily be interchanged with other embodiments.

Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of theinvention are presented for purposes of illustration and description.They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed; many alternatives, modifications, equivalents,and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. For thepurpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technicalfields related to the embodiments has not been described in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. Thus, the variousembodiments can be modified within the scope and equivalents of theappended claims. Further, the embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications; they thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated. Notably, not everybenefit described herein need be realized by each embodiment of thepresent invention; rather any specific embodiment can provide one ormore of the advantages discussed above. In the claims, elements and/oroperations do not imply any particular order of operation, unlessexplicitly stated in the claims. It is intended that the followingclaims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

1. A call messaging system comprising: a database comprising a callscreening rule for a callee; a call screening engine configured todetermine whether a bypass condition exists for an incoming call to thecallee, and to bypass the call screening rule for the incoming call, ifthe bypass condition exists; and one or more processors configured toexecute the call screening engine.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein:the call screening rule comprises a call screening prompt; and the callscreening engine is configured to allow the incoming call to beconnected to the callee without prompting the callee with the callscreening prompt, if the bypass condition exists.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein: the call screening rule comprises a call screening action;and the call screening engine is configured to allow the incoming callto be connected to the callee without taking the call screening action,if the bypass condition exists.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecall screening engine is further configured to: determine a priority ofthe incoming call; and determine whether a bypass condition exists forthe incoming call based on the priority.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the call screening engine is further configured to: determinewhether a prior call to the callee was disconnected; and determinewhether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call based on whetherthe prior call was disconnected.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thecall screening engine is further configured to: determine whether aprior incoming call to the callee could not be connected; and determinewhether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call based on whetherthe prior incoming call could not be connected.
 7. The system of claim1, further comprising: a caller-id module configured to determine anidentity of a caller associated with the incoming call; wherein the callscreening engine is further configured to determine whether a bypasscondition exists for the incoming call based on the identity of thecaller.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the call screening engine isfurther configured to: obtain a time of the incoming call; and determinewhether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call based on thetime.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a call filteringengine configured to determine whether to filter the incoming call. 10.The system of claim 1, further comprising: a caller-id module configuredto determine an identity of a caller associated with the incoming call;and a call filtering engine configured to determine whether to block theincoming call to the callee based on the identity of the caller.
 11. Asystem comprising: one or more processors; memory; and one or moreprograms, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory andconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors, the programsincluding instructions for: storing a call screening rule for a callee;determining whether a bypass condition exists for an incoming call tothe callee; and bypassing the call screening rule for the incoming call,if the bypass condition exists.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein: thecall screening rule comprises a call screening prompt; and the programsfurther include instructions for allowing the incoming call to beconnected to the callee without prompting the callee with the callscreening prompt, if the bypass condition exists.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein: the call screening rule comprises a call screeningaction; and the programs further include instructions for allowing theincoming call to be connected to the callee without taking the callscreening action, if the bypass condition exists.
 14. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the programs further include instructions for:determining a priority of the incoming call; and determining whether abypass condition exists for the incoming call based on the priority. 15.The system of claim 11, wherein the programs further includeinstructions for: determining whether a prior call to the callee wasdisconnected; and determining whether a bypass condition exists for theincoming call based on whether the prior call was disconnected.
 16. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the programs further include instructionsfor: determining whether a prior incoming call to the callee could notbe connected; and determining whether a bypass condition exists for theincoming call based on whether the prior incoming call could not beconnected.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the programs furtherinclude instructions for: determining an identity of a caller associatedwith the incoming call; and determining whether a bypass conditionexists for the incoming call based on the identity of the caller. 18.The system of claim 11, wherein the programs further includeinstructions for: obtaining a time of the incoming call; and determiningwhether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call based on thetime.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the programs further includeinstructions for: prior to determining whether a bypass condition existsfor the incoming call, determining whether to filter the incoming call.20. The system of claim 11, wherein the programs further includeinstructions for: determining an identity of a caller associated withthe incoming call; and determining whether to block the incoming call tothe callee based on the identity of the caller.